The 1984 Olympic Velodrome

W hen the Olympic games came to
Los Angeles in 1984
, they ignited an
Olympic Fever that swept across Carson
and the rest of the county like a wildfire.

Red, white and blue bunting adorned
light poles, local citizens jammed the
streets to see the torch-bearer run through
the neighborhoods, Olympic pin-trading
became a popular past-time, and
Randy Newman's song, "I Love L.A.",
became the town's unofficial anthem.

A nd remember Sam the Eagle,
the official mascot of the '84 games?

The Olympic games were spread out across
the L.A. basin. The gymnastic competitions
were held at U.C.L.A., the track & field
events took place at the Coliseum,
and the bicycle races were held right
here in Carson!

For the Olympic races, a special arenahad to
be built. The chosen site was thecampus of California State University at
Dominguez Hills, in Carson.